Linotype-machine.



No. 797,436. PATENTED AUG.15, 1905.

D. S. KENNEDY. LINOTYPE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3, 19041 AnuREw I: swam cm PHDYO-LIYNDGIHVNERS. vusamnnw. u v:v

UNITED PATENT ()FIFIUEJ.

DAVID S. KENNEDY, OF BItDDKLY N NEIV YORK, Atittltillillt TD hflil lliijilflll- THALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CDltPOItA'ilUN Dl NEW Y( )Itl(.

LINQTYFEHWADHHWE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1905 Application filed August 3, 1904. Serial No. 219,328.

To all, whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, DAVID S. KuNNn'oY, of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Linotypel\lachines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference more particularly to the Mergenthaler linotype and analogous machines wherein a series of fingerkeys representing the various letters or characters are used to effect the release and composition of the corresponding matrices. In this class of machines it frequently happens in the absence of the operator that linger-keys are accidentally depressed and matrices improperly released and that various annoyances result therefrom.

The invention consists in means for locking the finger-keys at the rear end and operating devices extended forward under cont-rel of the operator in combination with an indicator therewith.

In the accompanying drawings I have represented the mcchanism in its preferred form as applied to the keyboard of a commercial Mergenthaler linotype-maehine, the keyboard having the general construction represented in United States Letters Patent No. 530,931 to P. T. Dodge.

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a linotypekeyboard frame with one key and key-bar in position and with my locking mechanism applied, the parts being shown in their locked position. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the parts unlocked. Fig. 3 is a vertical crosssection from front to rear on the line 3 3 of the preceding figure.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the rigid keyboard-framework; I one of the series of horizontal linger-keys mounted in a horizontal pivot C and engaging at its rear end with a Vertically-guided slide or key-bar D, which communicates at its upper end with mechanism for operating one of the matrixdischarging escapements. There is a series of these linger-keys representing the various letters or characters arranged in several horizontal rows or banks and a corresponding number of the bars D. These bars are formed, as shown, with horizontal shoulders (Z, and when the parts are at rest the shoulders of the entire series stand in line horizontally.

The foregoing parts are all of the ordinary construction.

In applying my improvement I extend across the back of the keyboard over the series of shoulders (Z a locking-bar E, connect ed by links (1 with the frame, so that as the bar is moved endwise it will be caused to rise and fall. \Vhen in its upper position, (shown in Fig. 2,) it leaves the key-bars and the linger keys free to operate; but when in its lower position (shown in Fig. 1) it bears on the shoulders of the bars I), holding them positively down and preventing the action of the linger-keys or other parts discharging the matrices. Owing to the fact that the locking-bar l engages the vertical bars D, I am enabled to use this single straight locking device to look all the linger-keys, although these keys are arranged, as before mentioned, in several banks and at dilierent levels.

The locking-bar It may be mounted in any suitable manner, provided it is adapted to engage and disengage the key-bars D, and it may be operated by any suitable devices extended forward within reach of the operator at the keyboard. I prefer, however, to employ, as shown, a linger-lever I pivoted atf to one end of the frame, its forward end lying adjacent to the keyboard, so as to be COHVGHlGDiJly ope 'ated by the compositor, while its rear end is extended through a slot in a link G, the upper end of which is in turn connected by link II to the upper laterally-extendedend of one of the links 1 By moving the forward end of lever F upward and downward it is caused through the intermediate connec tions to swing bar I!) upward and dowmvard.

I may employ in com'iection with the foregoing devices an indicator in any suitable form to show whether the keys are locked or unlocked. In the form shown in Fig. I a shield or plate I is arranged to slide 011 the upper face of the keyboard and 011 the forward end of the lever. Below this plate the face of the keyboard is provided with the legend Iiocked or Unlocked, one or the other of which will be covered by the plate I, according to the position of the parts. It is understood that the movement of this plate I is effected. automatically by lever I \Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. In a linotypcanachine, a series of linger key levers B, in combination with the verticallyguided shouldered bars D, connected with the respective keys, the transverselockingl. ar It, mounted to engage the shoulders of the vertical bars, and a device for operating said bar extending thence to the front of the keyboard, whereby the locking device located at the rear may be actuated by the operator sitting in front of the keyboard.

2. In combination with the finger-keys B, and the upright sliding bars D connected therewith, the locking-bar E, its supportinglinks a, and the lever F connected with one of said links and extended forward to the front of the keyboard, as described and shown.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 29th day of July, 1904, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

DAVID S. KENNEDY.

Witnesses:

JOHN S. PAULSEN, JACOB B. BUOKLEY. 

